Can’t face Goodnight Moon for the 3,419th time? We get it—sometimes you just need new material. Here are 12 of our all-time favorite picture books for kids, plus a starter chapter book series you may remember from your own childhood. We all know they’ll get you to read Goodnight Moon as their “one extra story, pleassseee” anyway.
A story about how it’s OK to be grumpy…
Feelings are important…but it can also be annoying when people are constantly asking you about them. That’s how one very grumpy monkey feels, anyway. Follow along as Jim the chimpanzee’s friends try to cheer him up—when all he really wants to do is be a little grumpy. Honestly, relatable. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A cozy story about a hibernating bear who’s woken up by a bunch of party animals…
We love this one on a cold, wintry night—or really anytime. Bear’s sleeping soundly in his lair when a bunch of other animals start a party right under his nose…eventually waking him up in the process. It’s all good, though, because then he can just join in the fun. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A clever way to talk about adding a new sibling…
If you’re looking for books to help start the conversation about a new baby joining the family, you have plenty of good, straightforward options. But we like this one because it adds a dash of humor and whimsy to what can be an anxiety-inducing topic. Follow along as Sophie meets her new sibling, speaking only in gibberish until her parents need the kind of help only a real big sister can provide. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
The perfect book for kids who love dragons, tacos, or both…
Did you know dragons love tacos? Mild ones, at least? Neither did we—until we read this book. You’re sure to get lots of laughs as you discover what happens when dragons accidentally inhale some very spicy snacks. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A tale about the cleverest mouse in the deep, dark woods…
A mouse who’s actually almost too clever for his own good. This is a great picture book for kids with slightly longer attention spans, with a pleasant rhyming cadence and lots of opportunities for doing funny voices. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
The classic story of a little girl living in the Plaza Hotel…
If you don’t already know the tale of Eloise, you have to do something about that immediately. In this first of several books in a hilarious series, the mischievous 6-year-old shows you around the iconic NYC landmark where she lives—and causes the best kind of chaos. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A peek into other kids’ lives around the world…
Even if your kids aren’t old enough to read any of the words themselves, this book is still easy to explore, thanks to its beautiful illustrations. Curl up on the couch with your little one and check out how kids grow up in India, Iran, Uganda, and beyond. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
An adorable story for dog lovers…
Perfect if you’re trying to wrap up bedtime in a hurry, this short and sweet story is about a dog who’s initially very skeptical of the new costume his owner bought for him…until he meets another dog with a costume and starts to feel cool. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A book to delight your curious infant…
If your baby’s starting to notice more about the world around them, it’s the perfect time to introduce this book, which talks about all the different ways families care for their littlest members—and all the fun things babies get up to all day. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A rhyming story about the importance of working together…
This is one of those kids’ books that might actually get stuck in your head…but not in an annoying way. The rhymes make it an easy, rollicking read, and the message—that it’s always better to help someone out than turn your back on them—is a great one. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
The charming tale of a little mouse and a red, ripe strawberry…
And we can’t forget the big, hungry bear. Another good one if you’re looking for something short, this is a story the whole family can enjoy acting out together night after night. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A chill story to end the day…
With beautiful artwork in a mostly-black-and-white style even newborns might appreciate, this Caldecott Medal-winning book is one of our favorites for bringing the night to a calming close. Travel around a quiet house and up into the sky as you say goodnight to the beautiful little world the author has created. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Beginner chapter books about a magic treehouse…
Remember these from elementary school? We do, too. The “Magic Treehouse” books are a perfect intro to chapter books, when you’re ready to start reading longer and slightly more complicated stories at night. This set includes the first four volumes, all about dinos, knights, mummies, and pirates. If they’re a hit, there are dozens more to enjoy. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
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